Any Experience With Samart's Poptheeratham? Or Gyms Near Rangsit?

[Raja71]

Hi! I might be in Rangsit for work August-December and am looking at gyms in the area. Anyone trained at Poptheeratham, Samart's gym? Or recommend other gyms in the area? Looking for positive energy, female-friendly, focus on improving technique. I have 2-ish years of MT training, mostly pad work and technical sparring.

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

Hi! I might be in Rangsit for work August-December and am looking at gyms in the area. Anyone trained at Poptheeratham, Samart's gym? Or recommend other gyms in the area? Looking for positive energy, female-friendly, focus on improving technique. I have 2-ish years of MT training, mostly pad work and technical sparring.

 

The only thing I ever heard about the gym is that Samart isn't very involved with the training (who knows, this may vary). Only reason why I mention it is that he is one of the big reasons why people do go to the gym. This is totally off topic, but as you may be in Rangsit, this is where Sylvie's sak yant Arjan, Arjan Pi, has a home that he works out of. If you are inclined towards such a thing it might be an opportunity that you'd want to take up. He is amazing.

[Raja71]

The only thing I ever heard about the gym is that Samart isn't very involved with the training (who knows, this may vary). Only reason why I mention it is that he is one of the big reasons why people do go to the gym. This is totally off topic, but as you may be in Rangsit, this is where Sylvie's sak yant Arjan, Arjan Pi, has a home that he works out of. If you are inclined towards such a thing it might be an opportunity that you'd want to take up. He is amazing.

That's good to know. From what I can tell by online research his gym is the only option in that area (there is a place called MuayThai Institute that gives out certificates, I don't think that is what I am looking for). I've learned all I know from classes with Jongsanan, Ganyao, Coban, Kongnapa and their assistant coaches... so I've been really lucky there, but I'm also unlikely to fight and just wanting to improve technique, crisp things up, style, timing. It seems like Samart would have good trainers even if he wasn't really around the gym. Hopefully I'll get the chance to find out :)

And wow, it would be incredible to get a sak yant, if I get to go I will go to Arjan Pi.

Thanks very much for your feedback and the recommendation!

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

That's good to know. From what I can tell by online research his gym is the only option in that area (there is a place called MuayThai Institute that gives out certificates, I don't think that is what I am looking for).

 

The Muay Thai Institute once was a cutting edge gym for women. Sylvie wrote about the history of the gym in this piece on Thai Female Fighters in the 1990s. It was the host of the first Thai female fight team, and the founder built the first and only female oriented stadium in the Bangkok area. Yes, they do offer certificates, but I think that is largely due to its connection to early government efforts, and even present day ones, to formalize Muay Thai. I'm not sure if it is still connected to the IFMA/WMC, but I believe it used to be. Not too long ago it was a destination gym for many. But...who knows what it is like now? Gyms can change dramatically depending on the Krus there, but it is at least worth taking an investigative look at. It has a long history of training women.

I seem to remember that someone on this forum was at Samart's gym, I believe it was a woman. I'll see if Sylvie recalls who it was.

[Raja71]

The Muay Thai Institute once was a cutting edge gym for women. Sylvie wrote about the history of the gym in this piece on Thai Female Fighters in the 1990s. It was the host of the first Thai female fight team, and the founder built the first and only female oriented stadium in the Bangkok area. Yes, they do offer certificates, but I think that is largely due to its connection to early government efforts, and even present day ones, to formalize Muay Thai. I'm not sure if it is still connected to the IFMA/WMC, but I believe it used to be. Not too long ago it was a destination gym for many. But...who knows what it is like now? Gyms can change dramatically depending on the Krus there, but it is at least worth taking an investigative look at. It has a long history of training women.

I seem to remember that someone on this forum was at Samart's gym, I believe it was a woman. I'll see if Sylvie recalls who it was.

That's a great article, I had no idea of the female Muay Thai history there in Rangsit. I automatically discounted MTI when I saw the whole levels and certificates thing. Knowing about the abuse allegations is also helpful...it's good to be aware. 

It does seem like it all depends on who you get as a trainer. So much variation in skill and intentions, and then also personality, style, vibe and so forth. Thanks again, yeah it would be really great to hear of someone else's experience at Samart's. 

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

 

It does seem like it all depends on who you get as a trainer. So much variation in skill and intentions, and then also personality, style, vibe and so forth. Thanks again, yeah it would be really great to hear of someone else's experience at Samart's. 

 

This is it totally. You can be at a crap gym and if you got the right trainer with the right intentions this could be incredible for you. Or you can be at a famous amazing gym, and if you got the wrong trainer, ugh - nightmare. I just talked to Sylvie, we are about to get in the car to drive to a fight up in Chiang Mai, but she said she does know of a woman who went to Samart's gym, and more or less loved it. She'll try to contact her.

[Sara]

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